Kansas City Week In Review: Are Mayor James Hands Tied on Gun Violence?

Kansas City Week In Review: Are Mayor James Hands Tied on Gun Violence?

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A visibly frustrated Kansas City Mayor Sly James complains his “hands are tied,” when it comes to stopping gun violence in the city. He blasts Missouri legislators for state laws that, he says, prevent the city from enacting ordinances to combat illegal guns. The Mayor contends its all-but-impossible for the city to prevent shootings like those which killed three people and injured 16 just last week. But is the homicide rate in Kansas City really out of Mayor James’s hands?

As we celebrate Independence Day this week, we remember that one of our basic democratic freedoms is the right to vote.But what happens when that right is abused? Two Kansas Citians have just been convicted of voter fraud.John and Clara Moretina of Gladstone pleaded guilty in Jackson County court to illegally claiming a Kansas City address in order to vote for their nephew in a Missouri legislative district race. Their nephew is John Rizzo who’s now a Democratic state lawmaker. He won the Kansas City district race by, just one vote.

Missouri Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler this week joined with Kansas Congressman Tim Huelskamp to reintroduce the federal Marriage Protection Amendment. The proposed constitutional amendment would restore a national definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Their move follows last week’s Supreme Court decisions on gay marriage. But do these latest Supreme Court rulings have any impact here in Kansas and Missouri?

On this 4th of July weekend many celebrate by shooting off fireworks…or stuffing themselves with burgers and hotdogs. In Merriam, KS they celebrate America’s independence from the British by putting up a sea of flags…a glorious field of nearly 2,000 of them. KCPT’s Kyle Gery reports on what’s now become a tradition in the northeast Johnson County city.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT:This first week of July marks the half way point of the year… a great time to take stock on where we’re at and where we’re headed in this place we called home.
So we take the “liberty” on this 4th of July weekend to bring you the…

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